Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-06-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, June Goth, 1887.
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WASHINGTON, June 10th, 1881.
This city for the past few days has
been getting its share of the torrid
wave, and those of its sweltering
citizens who can afford such luxuries
are fleeing to the sea shore or the
mountains while others who are less
fortunate find temporary relief in
boating and picnicing on the Poto-
mac. In fact it is the general picnic
season of churches, societies and
Sunday Schools. and almost daily
the historic river floats many crafts
bearing hundreds of passengers on
pleasure boats.
The episode OF the Rebel battle
flags has provoked volumes OF CON-
ment in the newspapers OF the coun-
try and still continues to be topic
of general discussion private as we'll
as public. There can be no question
but the Presidents action in the
matter was i'll advised and that it
seriously shocked the patriotic and
national sentiment of the States
that were loyal to the Union during
the Rebellion, more especially those
of them that are faithful to the for
tunes and principles of the Republic
can party. 1t is well for the Pres
ident and his party that he had the
tact to gracefully acknowledge that,
owing to his hasty action and ig-
norance OF the law on the subject,
he had erred in approving the order
removing the flags, for once exempli-
flying the adage that Discretion is
the better part of valor." These faded,
tattered banners are the trophies OF
the gallant heroes in blue who won
them with their precious blood,and
these relics of war should be sacredly
and tenderly cherished by the great
nation that was saved, in that awful
baptism of fire, from the twin curse
of slavery and disunion.
IT woald seem from the late report
of the grand jury of the District of
Columbia that great numbers of the
Government employees are threaten
ed with danger more disastrous than
dismissal from Office. Says the re-
port ave have taken testimony as
to the condition of the different
Government buildings in this city,
and find that the Treasury Depart
ment, Interior Department, and Post
Office Department buildings are in
a very bad sanitary condition, owing
principally, to the defective manner
in which the sewers and sewer con.
nectlOns in them are constructed
From this cause the health and
lives of those who occupy these
buildings are endangered. If such
buildings were kept in such a con-
dition by private individual he
would be liable to Indictment for
maintaining nuisance. We re-
commend that Congress be request
ed to provide remedy for this great
evil. The report pronounces the
Government Printing Office a veri.
table fire trap. There are two wood
en- stair-ways, and only one of them
extends above the second floor,
which in case of fire, would make the
danger to life very great to those on
the third and fourth floors, particu.
larry when you remember that most
of them are females. Not over three
fourths of the employees could use
the present fire, escapes.
The colored people of this city
were greatly enthused and gratified
the other night by President Cleve-
land distributing diplomas to the
graduating class of their High
School, which was a graceful act.
The people of.this city and District
have long been restless under dis
REIMBURSEMENT, feeling quite natural
ly that as citizens of the United
States they should have the same
privileges as of the States. They
have not only been denied the right
to vote but are also deprived of
home rule" many of the most i'm
portant local offices being filled by
non.residents ofthe District. There
is Committee of One Hundred
whose duty it is to agitate those
questions, and it is earnestly hoped
that they will ultimately accomplish
the object desired, although the pros
pect of securing such results is not
the most fiattering.
The knowing ones declare that
President is casting about for
new Cabinet materials, he having de.
termined to promote Secretary La
mar to the Supreme Bench vacancy.
AS it is certain that a Southerner
will fill the place, [ am sure Mr..
Lamar would be far more acceptable
generally than any other man from
that section, for he is brilliant, con-
sentative and progressive.
| learn that Speaker Carlisle will
come to the Capitol next month for
the purpose of holding conference
with the President and Secretary
Fairchlld as to the advisability of
calling an extra session of Congress.
The general opinion of those who
are best informed is that the Dem
ocrats will avoid an extra session
unless they conclude that it is i'm
peratively necessary both for the re-
lief of the country from financial
Trouble and the salvation of the
Democracy.
ReneWS Her Youth.